Thanksgiving Table Inspiration
While Thanksgiving as an idea is older than America itself, we owe the national holiday to a lady named Sarah Josepha Hale. The mid-19th century editor and writer (and author of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”), convinced politicians to recognize an official day for celebrating peace, blessings and bounty– over a beautifully laid table and feast, of course.
✤ Gather 'Round ✤
For hundreds of years, people have used materials from their homes, gardens, and neighborhoods—pumpkins, reeds, greenery, leaves, anything they could find—to represent their “horns of plenty.” Casa Branca’s table reflects the natural beauty of a harvest, with ourPapavero tablecloth(we chose Natural, but any autumnal shade would do—Saffron! Apple!), ourCestino Porcelain, Mary Mahoney’sLes Champignons plates,Majolica Mushroom salt and pepper shakers, and finished with carvedOregon Rosewood utensils.
We prefer a multitude of small bud vases on a dinner table instead of large arrangements…it makes for better visibility and, naturally, better conversation! This year, let your florals speak for you with the art of floriography– the language of flowers has conveyed mood from the time of the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, to Shakespeare. Try a sweet and savory mix with fall-friendly dahlias, basil, sage, and goldenrod to symbolize good taste, warm wishes, long life, and good fortune, respectively. Amodern Farmer’s Almanacwill tell you everything you need to know.
Need a refresher course on table setting (and sitting)? The immortal Tiffany’s Table Manners for Teenswill get everyone smiling. This silly, charming book was illustrated in 1961 by Joe Eula (the infamous creative visionary at Halston, forVogue, Yves Saint Laurent, Coco Chanel, and so many others) and adds just the right amount of mid-century sass to the conversation.
Holiday pastimes often trace back to traditional parlor games, where a sense of community and plenty of laughs rule the festivities of the day. To keep things lively, a classic game of Chair Switching for the dessert course (every other guest switches seats for a new conversation partner) will do the trick.
✤ Mary Mahoney ✤
334 Worth Ave, Palm Beach, FL
For our table we used Mary Mahoney’s Les Champignons plates, Majolica Mushroom salt and pepper shakers, and finished with carved Oregon Rosewood utensils.
